TWRA makes changes
Originally published: May 31. 2009 3:01AMLast modified: May 29. 2009 10:45PM
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission has established the 2009-10 hunting seasons and there are some significant changes. Hunters will note a statewide conformity in season dates and bag limits on deer. Unit B will get added days and will have the same opening/closing dates as units A and L, and the same three-buck limit.
The muzzleload season will have more days and will no longer be split into two segments; it will run Nov. 7-20. Rifle season will follow immediately on Nov. 21 and it too will no longer be split.
Many adjustments to antlerless deer hunting will be made across the state. The counties of Chester, Haywood and Henderson will be moved to Unit L. More wildlife management areas will be opened to statewide seasons with few restrictions; this will especially help hunters that do not have private land available to them.
Starting this fall deer hunters that have a hard time getting to an open checking station will be able to check in deer over the Internet. Complete details will be published in the Hunting and Trapping Guide, which will be available in August.
There will be only two changes to the bear and boar seasons. The Nov. 16 dog hunt for bear will be moved up two weeks to Nov. 2 to reduce conflict between bear hunters and deer hunters. The bear dog training season will be expanded to run from Aug. 29 to Sept. 20.
Turkey hunters will see a few changes. There will be a 12-day fall turkey season running Dec. 7-18 and a few counties will see an increase in fall quotas. The 2010 spring turkey season will run April 3 – May 16 with the Young Sportsman hunt on March 27-28.
n Tennessee’s Free Fishing Day will be Saturday. Anglers of all ages, residents and non-residents, can fish without a license or permit on all public waters in the state. There will be many special fishing events for youngsters held all over the state, sponsored by TWRA.
The TWRA also sponsors Free Fishing Week from Saturday-June 12 when youths through age 15 can fish free all week. Following are some local events sure to please. A growing list can be found at www.tnwildlife.org.
n The Alcoa Duck Pond (1200 Springbrook Road) will have its 17th annual fishing derby for ages 15 and under beginning at 8 a.m. Bring your equipment. Registration begins at 7 a.m. or pre-register online at www.parkrec.com. For more information call Kelly Forester at 865-983-9244.
n The Tellico Kids Fishing Day will also be Saturday at the Pheasant Field Picnic Area near the fish hatchery on the Tellico River. Come catch a limit of trout. Fishing will be from 6–10 a.m. and registration begins at 5:30 a.m. For more information contact the Tellico Ranger District office at 423-253-8400.
Tom Wiest welcomes news, questions and comments from readers. Contact him at
wiest.tom@gmail.com.
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